Wellington equestrian to head to China to compete

Amy Bower Doucette

Wednesday

Sep 29, 2010 at 12:01 AMApr 1, 2012 at 4:29 AM

Wellington dressage rider Lily Chiu Zilo was born in Taiwan and lived in Hong Kong for several years. In November, she will travel east to the city where her mother was born, Guangzhou, China, to compete in the 16th Asian Games.

For Zilo, riding in the games is a chance to honor her heritage while challenging herself as an athlete.

"Equestrian sports are not common in Asian countries," Zilo said. "I thought it would be a really good example to the younger Chinese generation that if you try your best, you can get somewhere. At 36, I started riding. At 46, I am heading to the Asian Games."

Zilo's experience with horses started when she was living with her husband and their two daughters in Italy.

"We moved to Rome in 1993," Zilo said. "My eldest, Jessica, started to take pony lessons. I was taking her to the stables and watching her. My husband suggested that I ride. He said it might be fun to do something with my daughter. I took group lessons for a year and I got hooked. I'm very competitive. If I do something, I have to do it to the best of my ability."

Zilo excelled at dressage while living in Italy. In 2001, Lily won reserve champion at the Copa Lazio, an Italian equestrian competition. Later that year, she moved with her family to Wellington and founded Windsor stables. In 2007, Zilo tried to qualify for the Olympic Games, held the following year in Hong Kong.

"I was not able to earn my certificate of competency," she said. "It was a really challenging task that I gave myself. I figured that Hong Kong being the host country would only happen once in my lifetime, so I had to try."

Zilo rode for the Hong Kong team in the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Though she missed out on riding in the 2008 Olympics, Zilo was asked by the Hong Kong federation to carry the Olympic torch in the ceremony that kicked off the games .

"I carried the flame into the equestrian Olympic stadium," she said.

Returning to the Asian Games with her horse Marquis de Matcho will give Zilo a chance to inspire the Chinese people as she rides on the Hong Kong team once again. She plans to perform a special musical freestyle.

"I've chosen Chinese folk songs in a new arrangement. Millions of Chinese people will sing along with that music. I think it's going to win everyone's heart."

After the Asian Games are over, Zilo will turn her attention to the 2012 Olympics in London.

"To compete is to better yourself," she said. "It's an evaluation of your work. Riding in the Olympics is my ultimate goal. If not, I just want to become a successful grand prix rider."